WHAT doesn't Toowoomba have?

Not much if you ask Regional Australia Institute chief Su McCluskey.

At the Regional Queensland Showcase in Brisbane on the weekend Su McCluskey said Toowoomba and Townsville were the two most diverse regions in the state.

"They've got university, they've got industry, they've got mining, they've got agriculture, they've got tourism," she said.

"And because of that diversity if you have a downturn in mining there's still other (industries).

"Regions go up and down and the more diverse regions can become, the better ability they will have to weather those shocks."

Ms McCluskey believes Toowoomba's and Townsville's financial, information and communications technology and aged care services could be the next sectors to expand the regions' economies.

"Being able to invest in those services and think about them being the growth opportunity is really where they're going to lever even further into the future," she said.

The showcase was held to highlight what regional areas offer in terms of work, lifestyle, education and investment.

Ms McCluskey said she often saw 25-44 year olds and baby boomers looking to move out of the city.

"The regions are changing, people tend to think the regions are some quiet backwater; there are no jobs," she said.

"In fact Queensland is the most regional state of all.

"Most of the economic development and growth comes from regional Queensland."

The event featured special guests and exhibitors from across the state over the two days.